phrustrated philly phan

Earlier today, Flyers' GM, Bobby Clarke updated the contract situation with restricted free agent Simon Gagne. Gagne remains the only unfinished business for Flyers before training camp opens. They have been working on a new contract since the end of last season and Clarke has said that this is their number one priority in the offseason. He is an excerpt from a Q&A with Clarke:

Is this a monumental gap, or a small gap?

BC: “I think with the numbers that are being talked about, any gap is big, because it’s big money we’re talking about.”

Are you confident that this will eventually get done?

BC: “Yeah, I’m confident that we’ll get it done.”

To me this sounds like their is a significant gap between the money Gagne thinks he is worth and the money the Flyers are willing to pay. Yet no other team has offered Gagne a contract because I assume the Flyers would quickly match it. It is important to get a contract finalized soon and not a 1-year deal that sometimes teams resort to. Gagne is the most valuable player for the Flyers next year. With Primeau and Forsberg injured, Simon will be their best offensive player. The players around him need to step up, but the Flyers' also need Gagne to become one of the top players in the league and lead this team.